Skip to content
©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

'Ladyboys' to legends: Gibbes deserves more credit for Leinster success

The forwards coach has presided over a spell of prolific success, yet many fans seem nonplussed by his departure for Clermont.

IT’S NOT QUITE true to say that Jono Gibbes, in his five years as forwards coach with Leinster, changed the blue pack from ‘ladyboys’ to lords of Europe, but it’s not far off either.

The solidifying of Leinster’s soft centre began with Michael Cheika and David Knox; smart acquisitions like Stephen Keogh, Shane Jennings and Leo Cullen giving a hard edge and a platform, for the stellar set of backs to work off.

It’s been curious to see an initial reaction of apathy from many Leinster fans as, five major titles later, the man who built on those foundations leaves for pastures new.

Gibbes is a man who is more than happy to shun the spotlight. He is one of the more entertaining interviewees around Leinster as his eyes always betrayed him, giving away his true feelings before he could churn out a stock answer with a broad smile.

Once he is done talking to the media, his subtlety wears off when he immerses himself in his real job of talking to his players.

Our favourite barometer of what Gibbes brought to the table remains his dealings with a young flanker in 2010. Dominic Ryan had broken into the first team under the watch of Cheika. A busy openside with bouncing blonde hair, he was only ever going to stand out. Under Schmidt, he stood out in a pre-season game after the clean-cut carrier won a 30-metre dash for the  try-line.

Ryan looked different this season, it was put to Gibbes: ‘”Yeah, well I’m not too happy about forwards in my pack having highlights.” He took pride in those words, ‘my pack’. He probably didn’t take as much pride when Ryan revealed Gibbes had re-christened him ‘Dominique’ until his hair returned to a natural shade.

It’s that no-nonsense, old-school- fresh-ideas approach that turned Leinster from a side with a decent improving pack, to the side with a veritable all-terrain hit squad – the best front eight on the continent.

image

©INPHO/Donall Farmer

Devin Toner is by no means a stalwart of Gibbes’ unit through the years, but he is a man who has come all the way up the curve on his watch. Asked if the Top 14 side will be getting their money’s worth from the Kiwi, Toner says:

“I suppose Clermont are getting what they want. They want a hard-nosed coach with a lot of experience.

“I’ve said it before, but it’s great playing under a coach who has that experience of All Blacks and that level of rugby behind him. The forwards will have it up against them at Clermont anyway,” he joked.

“He’s been a massive influence on my career, a massive influence on the province. He’s grown as a coach over the years and we’ll be sad to see him go.”

Through three head coaches, Leinster have grown used to success with Gibbes on board. Cheika and Joe Schmidt are revered, and rightly so, for their contribution to the province, but the culture shift that has swept through root and branch could not have been achieved without that Waikato work ethic.

Gibbes has set the bar high for himself in just his second coaching role. Replacing him, though, should be an even more daunting task for his replacement.

Andrew Trimble gets his bear suit on in support of Ulster Rugby

Time wasn’t right for Jono Gibbes to ‘put his hand up’ for top role at Leinster

Close
5 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat Mustard
    Favourite Pat Mustard
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 7:43 AM

    I don’t remember Ali ever dodging a fight for about 5 years like Mayweather!

    310
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute I LOVE MY COUNTY
    Favourite I LOVE MY COUNTY
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 9:33 AM

    The lead up to the fight has been a failure. People have become both bored and annoyed by how long the fight’s taking to progress to an agreement, so it’s almost like it’s too late to drum up the hype that would have come naturally to it in 2009-12.
    So they’ve to come out with this these tripe statements just to fuel the media outlets who are as bored as the public with it all.
    3-5 years ago I’d have bought the PPV, now I’ll just watch the highlights in bed the next morning.

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dunne
    Favourite Paul Dunne
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 1:04 PM

    pat look at his record of wins ko’s and world titles at different weights this fella dosent have to dodge anyone it’s all about the purse, are you suggesting he’s fearful of Manny?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Pidgeon
    Favourite John Pidgeon
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 8:15 AM

    Mayweather is a genius of a boxer but his intelligence is confined to the ring alone. Such brainless comments from a guy with zero class. He also described how he has had it as tough as Ali in his public life, laughable stuff!

    107
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Tuohy
    Favourite Paul Tuohy
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 12:39 PM

    Mayweather is not the greatest…but neither is Ali…

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Pidgeon
    Favourite John Pidgeon
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 11:17 AM

    Simon that is an absolutely ridiculous comment. And to have someone back it up is even more ridiculous. I love boxing and boxers from all eras. But for you to say Ali is considered great because he talked a lot and then he got sick is one of the dumbest comments I have ever seen. He is regarded by most experts as one of the greatest as he was, end of story. Jesus lads get a grip. He doesn’t have to be your number one but don’t make stupid comments when his record speaks for itself.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dunne
    Favourite Paul Dunne
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 11:35 AM

    he’s right John Ali’s record does not even compare to Larry Holmes who’s career was overshadowed by Ali’s persona as I said first John Ali was a great and a lot of that greatness was from his out of ring antics but a great all the same.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Pidgeon
    Favourite John Pidgeon
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 11:42 AM

    2 things Paul, I agree it can be argued about different records in different eras, Holmes was class but he wasn’t as good IMO as Ali, Liston, Frazier or Foreman but he came just after them. He didn’t fight anyone of the same quality so not sure how you can say his record is better, it’s different times. Simon said most people just go along with it as he shouted and and they agreed, and then though the years they called him a great because he got sick and they felt sorry for him? Brainless comment, and an insult to real boxing fans.

    6
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon
    Favourite Simon
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 11:45 AM

    I never said he wasn’t in the conversation. He definitely was up there. You make it sound like I said he was completely average. What I am saying is there are ALOT of people out there who give him the edge as #1 for reasons that have very little to do with boxing. They like him because he was funny , rebellious and ultimately because he got sick and everyone felt sorry for him. People get offended when someone points it out but it’s true.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dunne
    Favourite Paul Dunne
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 12:04 PM

    I’m not arguing with you John as your points are valid it’s hard to compare eras Tyson for example beat a lot of very average fighters mind you he battered them ( berbeck ,Michael spinks bonecrusher Smith) to name but a few .

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fran Heavey
    Favourite Fran Heavey
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 3:54 PM

    Whisht the lot of ye……….3 words…..Big Joe Joyce………

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dunne
    Favourite Paul Dunne
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 4:00 PM

    big Joe would bate all round him.

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Pidgeon
    Favourite John Pidgeon
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 10:46 AM

    Paul I have already said that Mayweather is a genius but even if he wins you cannot say he is without doubt the greatest of all time, it just isn’t that simple. Mayweather made some ridiculous statements like dismissing the rope a dope and claimed he has had it tougher than Ali, including racial matters in the current climate. Totally braindead stuff! For what it’s worth I have only seen videos but by all accounts from the experts Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest, and probably Ali second, I wouldn’t disagree with that.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dunne
    Favourite Paul Dunne
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 10:58 AM

    Ali was considered the greatest because he was a showman and I loved watching him fight no doubt about that, but his record dosent stack up against mayweather who does makes some silly comments but that’s par for the course for most boxer’s.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Don Draper
    Favourite Don Draper
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 4:05 PM

    Not only was ali the greatest boxer of all time, he was and remains to be the greatest sportsman who’s ever lived. Deal with it

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dunne
    Favourite Paul Dunne
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 6:23 PM

    that settles that so Don it must be right if you said it.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Don Draper
    Favourite Don Draper
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 9:33 PM

    Right on paul, right on

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dunne
    Favourite Paul Dunne
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 10:28 AM

    mayweather record speaks for itself when he batters Pac man which he will he will retire as the undisputed greatest fighter of all time, his point about Leon spinks is correct a fellow of his standard would not be allowed into watch mayweather let alone fight and beat him.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon
    Favourite Simon
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 10:46 AM

    I think Ali is considered the greatest by alot of people because he seemed to shout it to people the most and people just shrugged and said alright then because he could talk. They also say it because he got sick and loads of people have been patronizing him for the last 30 years. The greatest of all time is a matter for opinion and if you disagree then that’s fine. But he definitely has been patronized far too much. Mayweather said as much in an interview a few years ago too and he was right.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Dunne
    Favourite Paul Dunne
    Report
    Apr 21st 2015, 10:59 AM

    100% simon

    8
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.